A second bogey-free 65 of the week saw Spieth take a three-shot lead into the final round - but a terrible start saw him pegged back.

Matt Kuchar is the only other realistic winner at this stage, and he is also on eight under.

Victory on Sunday would make Spieth only the second player after Jack Nicklaus to have won three of the game's four majors before the age of 24 and he could then surpass Tiger Woods as the youngest player to complete a career grand slam in next month's US PGA at Quail Hollow.

Kuchar on Spieth

Many others may have put the blame on the 13th, where Spieth took an age to sort things out.

Not Kuchar. He knows the game, knows Spieth’s quality got him out of trouble and saw him through.

Class act.

(Image: REUTERS)

19:13

Spieth: A dream come true

“Thank you so much for coming out. As players we couldn’t appreciate it more. I want to thank the R&A for allowing us to tear up your course for a couple of days. What an incredible Open. The way it setup and the weather cooperated. We owe you special thanks.

“Thanks to my caddie Michael for keeping me there today after that bad start. This is as much his as mine. Thank you Mikey, you deserve all the credit in the world for this championship.

“This is absolutely a dream come true. I drank some wine from the Claret Jug when Zach Johnson won it two years ago and people said that was bad luck. I started to believe them too after nine holes today.

“Matt, I really enjoyed battling with you buddy. I got the good breaks today. What a great champion Matt is and a class act. I took about 20 minutes to play a shot today. Matt took it in his stride with a smile. He sets a great example for all of us.

“Thanks to the volunteers. I’m going to take this back to America which may upset a few of you all but I’ll return it. Thank you very much, what an incredible honour.”

(Image: REUTERS)

19:02

Tiger Woods passes on his congratulations

From one American golfing great to what will surely become another.

Tiger Woods has passed on his congratulations to Jordan Spieth.

Spieth will now go for the career Grand Slam next month... at the age of 23.

18:51

Fowler: Spieth is a special player

Rickie Fowler has hailed Open winner Jordan Spieth as a ‘special golfer’.

“I didn’t get to watch a whole lot because I was playing,” he told the BBC. “I went back to check the bags and they were on 17 - to do what he did after avoiding a big number on 13 shows a lot of fight.

“We all know he has it, but to do it on one of the biggest stages... we’re looking forward to celebrating together.

“He’s a special golfer, fun to be around. We have a lot of fun away from the golf course and it’s cool to see him having this success.”

Zach Johnson adds: “Very impressed. It’s one thing to come back from a bad round. It’s another to come back from a bad beginning and then obliterate the golf course. It’s the sign of a true champion.

“He’s a champion, a class kid and very worthy of hoisting the Claret Jug.

“To me, the six foot bogey putt on 13 was massive. You’re talking about two of my good friends. Matt and I grew up together, we live close, our kids play together. I feel for him.”

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

18:46

Jordan Spieth: Just champion

So, just as Jordan Spieth looked like tossing it away, he came back.

After a dismal start to the final day, Spieth finished like a champion, putting out to finish on -12 under.

Jordan Spieth wins The Open!

Simply sensational from Jordan Spieth, who claims his first Open and third Major.

He pars the 18th to retain his two-shot lead over Matt Kuchar, who put up one hell of a fight to make it a dramatic final day at Royal Birkdale.

Spieth finishes 12 under to Kuchar’s nine under.

18:31

Li now famous for his golf... not embarrassing his mum

China’s Haotong Li shot a sensational 63 to finish third on his Open debut to become famous for his golf and not his embarrassing mum.

At the French Open last month, the world No.107 snapped his putter after a bogey and threw it into a lake. Twenty minutes later, his mother waded into the stagnant water to retrieve it – only to toss it back in when she saw it was broken. Players still on the course collapsed in laughter and the scene went viral on social media.

“Of course my mum didn’t know I had broken the broken the putter in half,” he said. “She just tried to help me. I was really sorry for her. Stop reminding me! You give me a lot hard time.”

Li was happier to talk about his closing round which started with seven straight pars – and ended with four consecutive birdies on the Royal Birkdale course where Taiwan’s Mr Lu finished second in 1971. “From hole No.8 I started holing out,” said the Shanghai-based rising star. “I holed out everything. I am quite happy. It was awesome, unbelievable. I can’t explain it. It means a lot. It is a dream come true.”

The 21-year-old was unaware his top-four finish sees him bank US$684,000 – and earns him an invite to the Masters. “Really?” he said. “Wow, that’s big gift. Huge. Huge.”

(Image: PA)

18:25

Kuuuuuch!

Amazing recovery from Kuchar and he birdies the hole!

He’s a shot down but Spieth has a favourable birdie putt to come on the 17th...

And he gets it.

Kuchar is two shots down with one hole to play.

Only a disaster from Spieth sees him let slip of the Claret Jug.

18:17

Poor tee shot from Kuchar

It will have to be some comeback for Kuchar from here.

His tee shot skews to the left and he’s in the rough.

Not the worst recovery shot, but he’s up against it.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

18:07

Spieth birdies! Game over?

Jordan Spieth is playing golf from the gods right now.

He’s gone birdie, eagle, birdie and is two shots clear with two to play.

Surely that’s that?

Kuchar pars the hole.

(Image: REUTERS)

18:04

More on Spieth's stones

Jordan Spieth channelling his inner Gladiator.

Maximus Decimus Meridius to be precise.

Well, at least according to Golden State superstar Steph Curry.

Ballers. Both of them.

18:02

Spieth has his eye in

Not the greatest tee shot from Spieth, he’s in the rough, but he’s in confident mood.

He takes it on and finds the green.

Long birdie putt to come.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

17:54

Stunning Spieth

Former Bolton midfielder Stuart Holden is watching his compatriot.

And he’s impressed.

Stunning work from Spieth.

What a turnaround from him.

17:53

Spieth eagles the 15th!

Is that the moment that wins The Open?

Superb from Jordan Spieth who eagles the 15th!

Kuchar birdies and Spieth has a one-shot lead with three holes to go.

Unbelievable.

17:44

Spieth back level!

Now then!

How’s that for a response from the Texan.

Spieth back level. Brilliant birdie and it’s game on now.

OMG Spieth!

Onto the 14th

Spieth ALMOST hits a hole in one on the 14th!

My word.

What a turnaround.

He’s now back favourite to win with the betting exchanges.

Sensational mental strength. His best swing of the day.

17:34KEY EVENT

Spieth BOGEY as McIlroy ponders what might have been

“If Spieth escapes with a 5, he ought to be arrested for stealing.”

Well he’s done just that.

Spieth puts brilliantly to salvage a bogey and remains in contention.

It’s a one-shot lead for Kuchar.

Elsewhere, Rory McIlroy ends with a par, he ends -5.

Oh what might have been.

(Image: REUTERS)

17:32

Hole 13 continues

So now Spieth with his fourth shot on the par 4 13........he’s used the down slope well and its a bogey attempt.

Given how this hole started, he’ll certainly take getting out of here in 5.

‘Sorry about that, man, my bad,’ he says

Kuchar will get his third shot after a 20/25 minute wait. How will it have affected him?

His birdie attempt....goes agonisingly just past. Didn’t quite do get it to turn enough.

He takes par though, so will take the lead into the 14th.

Will it be by one shot or two?

17:27

Spieth's almost back on the green

Well, he’s finally taken his shot.

He’s just off the green, slightly in the rough beyond the bunkers.

It’s a very good shot to give himself a chance of not causing too much damage.

But it’s a huge chance for Kuchar to go two in front here now.

(Image: REUTERS)

17:26

Spieth trying to find a reference

it’s been a good 10 minutes or so now since Spieth’s dismal tee shot on the 13th.

He’s still in discussions about the position he’s in.

He’s placed the ball where he believes is the right position for him to go from.

He’s dropped it way back, taken the shot penalty, has a better lie and is now looking for a reference point with regards the flag - which he obviously can’t see.

(Image: PA)

17:21

McIlroy makes it to -5

Spieth is still in discussions.

Currently, he’s pointing his way between the trucks.

It’ll be a miracle if he makes it out with a 5!

Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy has landed an eagle at the 17th.

He’s now -5.

(Image: Reuters)

17:16

Spieth takes an unplayable!

After that horrendous tee shot, Spieth has taken an unplayable line and is going a long way back to take his shot.

He is literally behind the broadcast trucks.

This is a huge blow for his hopes of winning the tournament.

17:06

Kuchar now favourite!

Spieth drives horribly at the 13th and, for the first time today, Kuchar is now favourite with the bookies.

The tension!

Where’s your money?

17:02

Both players par the 12th

We’re through two thirds of the final round.

Jordan Spieth and Matt Kuchar are both eight under the par.

Haotong Li is still their nearest challenger in the clubhouse having finished his round six under.

(Image: AFP)

16:50

If we need a playoff...

What do you mean getting ahead of ourselves?

Spieth and Kuchar are currently level and, if it finishes that way, they will need a playoff.

Our man at Royal Birkdale Neil McLeman is on hand with which holes they will play: 14, 17, 17, 18.

Hash tag just saying.

(Image: PA)

16:40

Both players par the 10th

How’s your nerves?

Both players hold par at the 10th, Spieth going very close to a birdie.

We’re in for some drama.

16:24

All square at the top!

What a huge hole!

Kuchar birdies the ninth and Speith misses a four-footer for par and bogeys to go three over for the day.

Both players are eight under.

What drama!

(Image: REUTERS)

16:09

Plant maps out pro ambition

Londoner Alfie Plant mapped out his intention to turn pro after collecting the Silver Medal.Plant is the latest Englishman to finish top amateur at Royal Birkdale after Chris Wood and Justin Rose previously.His win is a huge tonic for his close-knit family who have a funeral on Tuesday for his lategreat-grandmother Joyce.Plant, 25, who had his brother on the bag, now plans to turn pro after the Walker Cup when he intends to go to tour school.After a final round 73 for a six-over total, Plant said: “High of the week has definitely got to be walking down the last.“That’s one of the best walks in golf.“It sent shivers down my spine.“Nans and grandparents are always on your mind when you lose them.“But if you think about it too much, you’re going to start crying out there.“I tried to put it to the back of my mind, as best as possible but she was definitely with me this week.”Now I’ll be turning pro in September. Hopefully I’ll be be picked for Walker Cup and try out for tour school after that.”

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

15:55

Southgate done for the day

What a round from Matthew Southgate.

He finishes five under for the day and four under for the tournament, currently tied for fourth.